Salts of hexamethylenetetraminium bases as latent curing catalysts



UNITED :e'S T- ATE ium base having Patented Aug. 19! 195 v invention relates to stable 7 compositions containing potentially thermosetting, acid-curing condensates r resins.

whollyfcure at relatively low temperatures. fIf compositions containing such catalyst s,.together with'an uncuredacidcuring,thermosetting resin,

fai ef'stored"the resin'may' be partiallyjor wholly.

cured even at normaltempe'rature. This results,

f i'n' thebas of molding powders, in a loss'iof l'proper flow characteristics and therefore in loss of utility. Furthermore, if it is desiredto subject thecomposition comprising the resin and catalyst to. preliminary mild heating without curing, as may be necessaryin 'manyapplications, such as in coating o'r'impregnatirig textiles, in laminating, 'etc.; then iit is essential to usea More} particularly, the invention is ,concerned with such compositions. which include a latent curing catalyst, especially compositions in which the condensate or resin is a urea-formaldehyde condensate or resin. I

c Most of the catalysts which have been: pro:- posed' ipr'eviously foriuse, withacid-curing ther-, 'n' osetting'resins cause the resins 'to partially or l i to containing radical selected. from the group con- I sisting of alkyloxy. amino carbonyl, aryl'carbony], alkoxy' carbonyl, and-'aryloxy carbonyl.

For example, B. may be methyl, ethyl, isopropyl,

yhex-yl, heptyl, cetyl, cyclohexyl, 'allyl, beiizyl, ..carbamylmethyl, benzoylmethyl, etc.l The anion maybe, for instance, chloride, bromide, iodide,

:- sulfate, benzenesulfonate, chromate, thiocya- ,n at'e, for nate, -benzoate, etc. i

:' latent curing catalysts in. accordance Methyl hexam'ethylenetetraminium' iodide Representative cqmpounds-which are used as withthe invention are: r v

Bis (methyl ,hexamethylenetetraminium) sulfate Methyl hexamethylenetetraminium thiocyanate Methyl hexamethylenetetraminium benzoate Y Ethyl hexamethylenetetraminium bromide Ethyl hexamethylenetetraminium iodide I's'op'r'opyl hex amethylenetetraminium1Qbeiiaene Heptyl hexamethylenetetraminiurn iodide sulfonate 'f Cetyl hexamethylenetetr aminium" iodide i curing catalyst which'is inactive at. low tem-,

peratures but which will' f unction to expedite curing of the resin at higher'temp'eratures.

One object of'this invention is to provide new latent catalysts or accelerators for acid-curin thermosetting resins. Another object is toprovide compositions comprising a thermosetting" resin and a latent acid-curing catalyst-which are stable at ordinary tem eratures and exhibit" improved curing and molding properties. Another obje'ct'is to provide compositions having improved water resistance,- and flow characteristics which are'not altered, duringsitora ge, i.-e., fiow characteristics which, during s'torage are not'afi'ected by 'the'catalyst. V

These and other objects are attained by mixing with the acid-curing thermosetting precondensate or resin, or compositions containing the precondensate or resin, as a latent curing catalyst, a'salt of a quaternary hexamethylenetetraminthe general formula wherein R, is an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical, -X' is the anion of. an organic or inorganic. acid which, in the free state, accelerates curing of the thermosetting resin under heating; 42 ;is an .integerfrom 1 toAQmzis an inte er canal to lp toiep, .and n is an integer fromunity toz4p:

In the formula given, R may representallzyl,

- alkylene, alkenyl, alkylidenemycloalkyl radicals etc. an; aryl-substituted aliphatic; hydrocarbon i" radical, or an alkyl group attached to an oxygen Methylene dihexamethylenetetraminium diiodide Benzyl .hexamethylenetetrarninium chloride C a r b amy 1 me th yl hexamethylenetetraminium Carbamylmethyl hekamethylenetetraminium' chloride h Benzoylmethyl hexamethylenetetraminium bromide Carbethoxymethyl hexamethylenetetraminium chloride Carbophenoxymethyl hexamethylenetetraminium bromide Y 2,3-oxypropyl hexamethylenetetraminium chloride- Methoxym'ethyl hexamethylenetetraminiumchloride Bis (methyl hexamethylenetetraminium) dichromate.v

Preferably,jthe salt of the quaternary hexamethylenetetraminium base has a melting and decomposition temperature; in the pure condition, between (Land 200 C. The catalyst "does'not become active, i. e., the acid is not liberated-until the molding temperature is reached.

' Generally, the compositions are molded at a temperature between and C. V

Various fillers may be incorporated with the acid-curing thermosetting resin such as, for example, wood flour, asbestos, cotton linters, cellophane or other forms of regenerated cellulose, clay, etc. Coloring materials and lubricants, may

beincluded, if desired. Zinc 'stearateior other mold lubricant may be added. In some applications, it may be desirable, also, to add modifying hyde molding composition contai agents such as starches, gums, alginates, casein, etc. Plasticizing or impregnating agents may also be incorporated in the molding composition.

Molding compositions may be prepared by any of the methods known in the art. For example,

a resin syrup maybe prepared first and the filler impregnated with the syrup in a} subsequent operation; or the filler may be impregnated with the resin-forming constituents, and the resinformingreaction initiated or furthered during drying of the mass. The filler content in percentage, the composition orme es azmcu'fauo of the resin-forming constituents and proportions of minor reactants or assistants), and the proc essing conditions may be yar'ie'd'as well known in the art. Generally, when the composition is a molding composition containing the resin and a filler, the resin ispreferably present in an amount of from 60 to '70 parts, the filler being present in an amount or from 30 to 40'parts.

The salt of the hexamethylenetetraminium 'base, either'in the purified condition, or'the crudestate; may be addedat any point in the processing of the; molding composition where subsequent treatment will not cause premature -aata1yseacmvaye; destruction of the" catalyst.

' "Usually onlya small portion of the latent cata- -'lys t"of the invention isreq'iiired'to produce rapid cfirsunder molding 'cpnditiqn's, for ei'cam'ple from 0.1 to about-2% bywug'm ofthe molding temptation. Generauy, ,tl're 'inolding is performed at a 'tifiperature'betweeii and 165 0. i .N,

The following exampl of vmy invention a given by way or illustration and not oflirnitation Emmet? A dried. substantially neutral .urea -iormalde- ,5 pa ts of a cellulose pu1p filler irnpre'g nated with 155; parts of a u eaorm ldeh d r a ion pt d t "w ground .in acooled ball mill with 10.25 part of composition was s'i-f 'te'd. Itr'naY'be used for moldeteri imivde arm a t r q .le .granulatiq ll.

' Zinc stearate or other mold lubricantinay be as d 1329993B21P95 p sa p A dried, substantially neutral urea-formaldehyde molding composition containing 35lparts of g gzpe i s wit mel i s p na d unde the s we a se pfiin an serrat animate a t 15 minutes mm e p. 31 Dail es W 31i? sqiepers ipnpws; I a

: .wm t 'Withba'ta- ,Oatalyst 51} Flood Excellent Example III A dried, substantially neutral urea-formaldehyde molding composition containing parts of a cellulose pulp filler impregnated with 65 parts of a urea-formaldehyde reaction product was ground in a'cooled ball mill with 0.25 part of 1 ethyl hekamethylenetetraniinium iodide.

Example IV A dried, substantially neutral molding composition containingSO parts of a cellulose pulp filler impregnated with 70 parts of a melamine-ureaform'a'ldehyde' reaction product in which the molar 'ratiq'ofrnelamine to urea was 1:9, was grbuna'm' a'cooled ball mill with 0.50 part of cetyl hexamethylenetetraminium iodide.

'The inclusion of a small amount, from 0.01 to 0 .l by weight of hexamethylenetetramine during the incorporation of the salt of the hexamethylenetetramine base may be found fayorable, and' pajamas. etc also ,co'ntai mined resins, I formaldehyde resins, i

40 hyderesin'SJetc.

particular-sai p H as u d e i cat ys residue fromjth'alip atic hydrocarbon groups of higher molecular. 'e such the cetyl'fradia macm n ia olding lubricant forlthe composition and] ults'iriir nproyed flow inlthe pq 'as x z as 5 're stahce t -water an a ql' e is .dist l n The timer cure compositions coms n n and:wrmsiherm tet in resin d l 9 Q ate na y hes me hyl et minium ba alts disclo d-h rein Wa y q ewhat wi h the size of the piece being molded. the particular cata yst se?! th 'garti la re n/an with the curing temperature. Inflgen ral, the time required for molding smallarticles isbetweenabout one half minute ;.,a,n, d three minutes at temperatures between about-l35to 165 C., at pressures of from 300 0 to 5000 pounds per squareinch.

:The catalysts describedherein may be employed in molding powders or in'solid compositions which have. been prepared for hot pressing into sheets, rod'sfof'other'units, as well as in compatible syrupsfcon'taihing 'acid -c'uring thermosetting resins for.use in coating, impregnat- .ing, or .Jaminating'composition adhesives, etc. The compositions containing the la'tent'cataly sts of the invention are stable commerciallyieithey are stable at' normal temperatures and nia'y'be "stored safely.

Obviously many-"modifications and variations in the process 'andiconipositions"described above may be made without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A molding composition as in claim 8, wherein the acid-curing resin is a urea-formaldehyde resin.

2. A molding composition as in claim 8, wherein the acid-curing resin is a melamine-formaldehyde resin.

3. A molding composition as in claim 8, wherein the acid-curing resin is a melamine-ureaformaldehyde resin.

4. A molding composition as in claim 8, wherein the acid-curing resin is a thiourea-formaldehyde resin.

5. A process as in claim 9, wherein the acidcuring thermosetting resin is'a urea-formaldehyde resin.

6. A process as in claim 9, wherein the acidcuring thermosetting resin is a melamine-formaldehyde resin.

7. A process as in claim 9, wherein the acidcuring thermosetting resin is a melamine-ureaformaldehyde resin.

8. As a new composition of matter, a substantially dry and neutral molding composition comprising an acid-curing thermosetting resin and a latent curing catalyst which is acid-curing at temperatures in the range of 135 to 165 0., said catalyst being a salt of a hexamethylenetetraminium base having the general formula wherein R is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals, aryl-substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals, and aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals containing an alkyl group attached to an oxygen containing radical selected from the group consisting of alkyloxy, amino carbonyl, aryl carbonyl, alkoxy carbonyl, and aryloxy carbonyl, X is the anion of an acid which, in the free state, accelerates curing of the thermosetting resin, 11 is an integer from 1 to 4,

m is an integer equal to 19 to 4p, and n is an integer from unity to 4p, said molding composition being stable at normal storage temperatures below 135 C.

9. A process for curing an acid-curing thermosetting resin which comprises mixing the dry resin with a salt of a quaternary hexamethylenetetraminium base having the general formula (CeH12N4) mRmXp wherein R is selected from the group consisting ofaliphatic hydrocarbon radicals, aryl-substituted aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals, and aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals containing an alkyl group attached to an oxygen containing radical selected from the group consisting of alkyloxy, amino carbonyl, aryl carbonyl, alkoxy carbonyl, and aryloxy carbonyl, X is the anion of an acid which, in the free state, accelerates curing of the thermosetting resin, 1) is an integer from 1 to 4, m is an integer equal to in to 4p, and n is an integer from unity to 4p, as a latent curing catalyst, and subjecting the mixture to a temperature of at least about C.

10. A composition of matter as defined in claim 8 wherein the latent curing catalyst is methyl hexamethylenetetraminium iodide.

11. A composition of matter as defined in claim 8;: wherein the latent curing catalyst is cetyl hexamethylenetetraminium iodide.

12. A composition of matter as defined in claim 8 wherein the latent curing catalyst is ethyl hexamethylenetetraminium bromide.

13. A composition of matter as defined in claim 8'wherein the latent curing catalyst is methyl hexamethylenetetraminium benzoate.

14. A composition of matter as defined in claim 8 wherein the latent curing catalyst is heptyl hexamethylenetetraminium iodide.

JOHN A. YOURTEE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,059,609 Rossiter Nov. 3, 1936 2,156,124 Novotny Apr. 25, 1939 2,322,566 DAlelio June 22, 1943 2,326,725 Jayne Aug. 10, 1943 2,331,862 Shepard Oct. 12, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 160,258 Great Britain Mar. 15, 1921 

8. AS A NEW COMPOSITION OF MATTER, A SUBSTANTIALLY DRY AND NEUTRAL MOLDING COMPOSITION COMPRISING AN ACID-CURING THERMOSETTING RESIN AND A LATENT CURING CATALYST WHICH IS ACID-CURING AT TEMPERATURES IN THE RANGE OF 135* TO 165* C., SAID CATALYST BEING A SALT OF A HEXAMETHYLENETETRAMINIUM BASE HAVING THE GENERAL FORMULA 